Endless belt and a link construction therefor

ABSTRACT

A readily adjustable belt and a link construction wherein a plurality of links of similar construction are detachably connected in end to end relationship to define an endless torque transmitting belt. Each link is formed of an injection molded plastic part having a female end portion and a male end portion arranged such that the male portion of one link can be readily snap-fitted to the female portion of the next adjacent link. The respective links are identical in structure and are provided in complementary interlocking structure to facilitate attachment and to insure positive interlocking engagement of adjacent links, and yet render the links readily detachably connected so as to facilitate rendering a belt readily adjustable. The respective links are also provided with transversely extending indentations formed in the upper and lower surfaces thereof to impart flexibility thereto. Tapering side surfaces are provided with a non-slip textured surface.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention is directed to an endless belt adapted to be threadedover pulleys for transmitting power and to a specific link constructionof which such belt is formed.

RELATED SUBJECT MATTER

This invention comprises an improvement in torque transmittingadjustable belt described in my U.S. Pat. No. 4,979,929 granted Dec. 25,1990.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Belts are common means to transmit torque between rotating devices. Anexample of a widespread use of a torque transmitting belt is the beltused in an automobile engine to rotate various accessories, customarilyknown as the fan belt. Most belts are a continuous loop of fixed length.As a result, there are many different size belts for many differentapplications. For example, each make and model of automobile is likelyto require a different size fan belt. This necessitates the availabilityof a large inventory of belts varying in size to quickly accommodate thereplacement of a worn or broken belt. In order to avoid costly idle ordown time of machinery, it is important that a worn or broken belt bereplaced quickly.

The replacement of a broken or worn endless belt frequently constitutesa time consuming and tedious task. To replace such endless belts, e.g.in a vehicle, tools are required. This is because some part of thevehicle to which the belt is connected has to be loosened to provide theplay necessary to effect the removal of such endless belt. Frequently,the part which must be moved to allow the play is difficult to get to.Thus, considerable effort and time is involved in replacing an endlesstype belt.

Heretofore, belts with adjustments have been made to compensate forwear, or for use in more than one application within a predeterminedrelatively small range. One such belt is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.1,264,193 issued to H. W. Leonard on Apr. 30, 1918 and entitled "ElasticBelt." Therein disclosed is a belt made up of a number of links orsections. This section can be either elastic or non-elastic, providedthere is a sufficient length of elastic portion to give advantageousresults. The elastic sections comprise a coiled spring as a coreenveloped by a plurality of washers loosely movable over the springcore. Each section is connected to the adjacent section by a threadedhub connector. U.S. Pat. No. 4,058,022 to Pickburn on Nov. 15, 1977,entitled "Mobius Drive Belt Fastener" discloses a belt twisted to form aMobius strip and a fastener to connect the ends together. The twist inthe belt doubles the surface area of the belt contacting the pulleys,thereby extending the life of the belt.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,631,732 to E. Kleban entitled "Adjustable Belt Assembly"discloses a belt having coupling elements for adjusting the length ofthe belt that are either wholly confined within the cross-sectional areaof the belt material or extend from the belt surface and receive a boltfor closing the ends of the belt.

Each of these belts are difficult to install and require tools for theirinstallation. This complicates their quick and easy replacement,especially in emergency situations where assistance and the necessarytools are unavailable.

Also known are link type conveyor belts such as disclosed in U.S. Pat.Nos. 2,766,635; 1,896,407 and 1,861,642. However, such link typeconveyor belts are not suitable for use in vehicles or other machineapplications for coupling rotating machines for transmitting torque.

My prior U.S. Pat. No. 4,979,929 was an effort to overcome the foregoingnoted structure. While the structure disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.4,979,929 proved satisfactory, it was noted that the structure thereofcould be further enhanced by additional improvement to facilitate theconnection and disconnection of the adjacent links, to enhance thedriving characteristic of the belt, to increase the flexibility of thebelt and the individual links, and to render the connection betweenadjacent links stronger, simpler and more positive.

OBJECTS

An object of this invention is to provide an improved belt constructionformed of a plurality of similarly constructed links to facilitate thecoupling and uncoupling thereof.

Another object is to provide an endless belt formed of a plurality ofsimilarly constructed links having enhanced flexibility.

Another object is to provide an endless belt having improved linkconstruction arranged to provide for a stronger and more positiveinterconnection between adjacent links.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The foregoing objects and other features and advantages are attained bya flexible endless belt comprised of a plurality of similarlyconstructed links that are arranged to be connected in end to endrelationship by complementary interlocking members in a manner tofacilitate the coupling and uncoupling thereof and to impart greaterstrength to the connection therebetween. The respective links arepreferably injection molded of a suitable plastic material. Each linkincludes a male end portion and a female end portion. The male portionis provided with opposed laterally extending projections extendinglongitudinally along the opposed sides of the male end portion. Thefemale end portion is bifurcated to define a clevis having opposedclevis arms for receiving the male end portion of the next adjacentlink. The clevis arms are provided with aligned slotted openings forreceiving the opposed projections extending laterally of the male endportion of the next adjacent link. To facilitate the connection ofadjacent links, the lateral projections of the male end portion areformed with a leading edge which tapers or inclines outwardly andrearwardly toward the female end portion of the link. The trailing edgeof the lateral projections are similarly tapered or inclined. Thetrailing edge taper facilitates secure locking into a female end portionof another adjacent link. The inner surfaces of the clevis arms areprovided with a longitudinal groove or channel to receive and guide theprojections on the male end portion as one link is being connected tothe female portion of the next adjacent link. The arrangement is suchthat the male end portion is readily assembled to an adjacent link bysnap-fitting the male end portion of one link between the clevis arms ofthe female portion of the next adjacent link.

To enhance the flexibility of the link and belt comprised of such links,each link is provided with a transverse indentation formed in the upperand lower surfaces thereof at a location between the male and female endportions. The opposed side surfaces of the respective links are texturedor roughened with a consistent textured spacing and depth to provide fora non-slip surface.

IN THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an endless belt composed of similarlyconstructed links embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is a detail perspective view of a link construction utilized inthe belt construction of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the manner ofconnecting and disconnecting adjacent links.

FIG. 4 is a left end view of the link of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a right end view of the link of FIG. 1.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates an endless belt 10constructed of a plurality of links 11. Each link 11 is similarlyconstructed, and are preferably formed as an injection molded part ofany suitable moldable plastic material. Polyurethane elastomer has beennoted as being a suitable plastic from which the respective links may bemolded. However, it is understood that other plastics may be suitabledepending upon the use to which the belt construction 10 is to be put.

As best seen in FIG. 2, each link 11 includes a body 12 defining maleend portion 13 and a female end portion 14. The male end portion 13 hasintegrally formed thereon opposed laterally extending projections 15Aand 15B. Projection 15A, 15B extends longitudinally to define anelongated connecting member which is adapted to be received in acomplementary opening formed in the female end portion of a similarlyconstructed link as will be hereinafter described. The female endportion 14 is bifurcated to define a clevis end having opposed clevisarms 14A, 14B. The respective clevis arms 14A, 14B are provided withaligned slotted openings 16. As shown, the respective slotted opening 16extends along a longitudinal axis of the link. Interconnected betweenthe clevis arms 14A, 14B defining the female end portion 14 is a web 17defining a bottom wall. The web 17 terminates inwardly from the free endof the link. The arrangement is such that the opposed free ends of theclevis arms can be flexed outward as shown in FIG. 3. The lower end ofthe male end portion is cut away at 18 so that in the assembled positionof the links, the lower or cut away portion 18 sits upon the web 17.

To facilitate the connection of the male end portion 13 to the femaleend portion 14 of an adjacent link, the leading edges 15C, 15D ofprojection 15A, 15B respectively are tapered or inclined outwardly andrearwardly as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. The trailing edges ofprojections 15A, 15B are similarly tapered. The taper of the trailingedges facilitate locking with the female portion of another adjacentlink.

To guide projections 15A, 15B of the male end portion 13 to seat thesame between the clevis arms 14A, 14B of the next adjacent link, eachclevis arm along the inner surface thereof is provided with alongitudinal groove 20 to define a guide way for the projections 15A,15B as the male end portion of one link is being inserted into thefemale end portion of the next adjacent link. It will be noted that thetapered or inclined leading edges 15C, 15D of projection 15A, 15B willfunction to cause a slight spreading of the free end of the clevis armsto facilitate making the connection of adjacent links. The arrangementis such that the male end portion 13 of one link can be readilysnap-fitted to the female portion of the next adjacent link to make theconnection. Disconnection can be readily achieved by spreading the freeend of the clevis arms 14A, 14B outwardly sufficient to effect therelease of the male end portion.

To render the interconnection of the projections 15A, 15B within thecomplementary elongated slotted openings 16 more positive, theprojections are formed with an indentation 21 extending transverselythereof in the upper and lower surface thereof. The respective slottedopening of the clevis arms are provided with a complementary transversebead 22. In the assembled position, the bead 22 of the slotted openingsengage the complementary indentation 21 of the projection 15A, 15B.

To enhance the flexibility of the links 11, and in turn of an endlessbelt formed of such links and for enhancing flexibility of the linksover a pulley about which the endless belt 10 is rotated or driven, eachlink is provided intermediate the ends thereof with a transverse grooveor indentation 23 formed in the upper and lower plane surfaces thereof24, 25 respectively. As shown, the groove or indentation 23 is disposedbetween the male end portion and the female end portion and provides thelink with the ability to be slightly flexed thereabout. This ability toflex enhances the flexibility of the assembled belt, and is particularlyadvantageous for permitting the assembled belt to flex about smalldiameter pulleys.

As best seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the opposed side surfaces 26, 27 of thelinks taper inwardly toward the bottom surface 25. To enhance thedriving effect of the belt 10, the opposed side surface 26, 27 of eachlink is textured or roughened with a consistent textured spacing anddepth to provide for a non-slip side surface. As the belt is in the formof a V type belt, the non-slip side surfaces 26, 27 will frictionallyengage the sides of a pulley and thus prevent any slippage therebetween.

In operation, it will be apparent that the complementary male and femaleportions of adjacent links can be readily snap-fitted together in asimple and positive manner to form an endless belt of any desired lengthdepending upon the number of links used. Each link is similarlyconstructed. The arrangement is such that all links being similar, theendless belt so formed can be separated at any link in the event thatany adjustment and/or repair is needed. The links provide for assemblyand disassembly without the need of any tools. Other than the respectivelinks, no other components are required to make the endless belt.

While the invention has been described with respect to severalembodiments, it should be understood and appreciated that variations andmodifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope ofthe invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An improved link construction for use in acontinuous belt formed by a plurality of similarly constructed linkscomprisinga body having opposed ends, one of said opposed ends defininga male portion and the other end of said opposed ends defining a femaleportion, said female portion being bifurcated to form clevis havingopposed clevis arms for receiving a male portion of a similar link, saidmale portion having connected thereto opposed laterally extendingprojections that extend transversely of said male portion, andlongitudinally along the length of said male portion, said clevis armshaving opposed openings therein, said opposed openings conforming inshape to the shape of said laterally extending projections, theprojections being adapted to be received in the openings of said femaleportion of a similar link, said projections having a leading end and atrailing end, said leading end and trailing end being inclined towardsaid female portion to facilitate inserting the male portion of one linkinto the female portion of similar next adjacent link.
 2. An improvedlink construction as defined in claim 1 whereinsaid clevis arms includeopposed complementary grooves extending longitudinally between the armsof said clevis portion, said grooves being disposed for receivingtherebetween the lateral projections to facilitate the insertion of saidprojection of said male portion into the opposed openings of a femaleportion of a next adjacent link.
 3. An improved link construction asdefined in claim 1 whereinsaid lateral projections of said male portionand said opposed openings of said female portion having an opposedcomplementary lateral bead and notch formed intermediate the lengththereof, whereby the notch on said lateral projection complements thebead of the opposed openings of said female portion when two suchsimilar links are detachably connected to one another.
 4. An improvedlink construction as defined in claim 1 and includinga webinterconnected between said clevis arms of said female portion to definea bottom wall between said clevis arms, said bottom wall terminatinginwardly of said end of said female portion.
 5. An improved linkconstruction as defined in claim 4 wherein said male portion includes acut away portion extending toward said female portion along the bottomedge thereof for complementing said web.
 6. An improved linkconstruction as defined in claim 5 whereinsaid body has inclined sidesurfaces tapering inwardly toward the bottom thereof to define atrapezoidal shape in cross section.
 7. An improved link construction asdefined in claim 6 whereinsaid tapering side surfaces are provided witha non-slip textured surface.
 8. An improved link construction as definedin claim 6 and includinga transversely extending indentation formed inthe opposed upper and lower plane surfaces of said link between saidmale and female portions to impart flexibility of said linklongitudinally thereof.
 9. An improved link construction of claim 1whereinsaid link is injection molded of a plastic material.
 10. Animproved link construction of claim 9 wherein said material ispolyurethane.
 11. An endless, readily adjustable flexible beltcomprisinga plurality of similarly constructed links detachablyconnected in end to end relationship to form an endless closed loop;each of said links having a body having a male end portion and aconnected female end portion, and said body having an upper planesurface, a lower plane surface, and opposed side plane surfaces, saidside plane surfaces tapering inwardly toward said lower plane surface,said female end portion being bifurcated to form a clevis, said clevishaving opposed clevis arms, said clevis arms being formed with alongitudinally extending slotted opening formed therein, said maleportion including opposed longitudinally extending projections extendinglaterally to either side thereof, said projections having a leading andtrailing edge, said leading and trailing edges of said projections beinginclined outwardly and toward said female portion, whereby said lateralprojections being adapted to be received in the slotted opening of afemale portion of a next adjacent link, laterally extendingcomplementary interlocking means formed on said projections and slottedopening to secure said projections within said slotted openings, and atransversely extending indentation formed in the upper and lowersurfaces of each link located between said female and male end portionsfor imparting flexibility to said belt.
 12. An endless, readilyadjustable flexible belt as defined in claim 11 whereineach of saidlinks includes a groove extending longitudinally along the inner surfaceof said clevis arms to facilitate the insertion of said male portioninto the clevis defined by the female portion of a next adjacent linkfor snap-fitting said male portion to said female portion of the nextadjacent link.
 13. An endless, readily adjustable flexible belt asdefined in claim 12 wherein said links are formed of molded plastic.